Review & Photography by Manny Manson for MPM
The Bodega is a bewitchingly compact venue positioned in one of Nottingham’s trendy bar and club areas.
Pelham Street sees plenty of activity with its pavement cafés and bars spilling out on the streets of a night. The Bodega is a regular haunt for the city’s students as it combines both live music and the late-night club culture, lusted after by the town’s academia.
The venue sits above the high ceiling of the bar below, its accessible by a back stair case from inside the bar itself, or a front stair located behind a door on the front of the building. Those of us of a certain age will remember the stair cases that lead from Grannies back parlour, via a door in the wall that held back all sorts of bumps in the night.
The venue I dimly lit and a projected feature is displayed on the backdrop, this lists the coming events, a bit like a Pearl and Dean show but without the dramatic music. The stage is set ready to go, and looking at the pedals, its comforting to see that we have a TS9 plugged into a Boss tuner into a Roland Blues Cube amp. Nice, no masses of pedals to clutter the sound, I breath a sigh of relief.
There’s a little bit of a wait as I’ve got there at the crack of sparrows, there’s no pit so if you want the pictures with little or no crowd you need to be early. Time is passed by chatting to the other early bird arrivals, Blues fans always seem up for a natter.
The times come a blur of activity is happening, the stage is dimly it so this is going to be a challenge, I can see silly ISO’s being used to get ‘the’ shot.
So ‘THE ZAC SHULZE GANG’ are up first. This is a trio, Brothers Zac, guitar n vox, and Ben on the tubs at the back in the shadows. Bass is provided by Ant Greenwell. There may only be the three of them but they are filling the somewhat compact stage.
Zac gives us a tasty blues lick as he gets ready, he tells the sound guy that we’re ready to go, says good evening and we’re off into a tasty number, full of SRV walking riffs and slick licks. ‘Hole In My Pocket’ gets things off to a great start. A stomp on the TS9 and Zac has that black Strat singing like a new born, his fingers are no stranger to that neck as he shows us, he’s not all fluff and acrobatics. Hat off to him that’s a great start, speaking of hats, he’s wearing a Rory Gallagher Tribute hat, the penny clicks, this guy can play!
Hailing from Gillingham in Kent his, accent makes a big change from these affected twangs showcased by several other players. He wastes no time by getting straight into another original, ‘Woman.’ Fast paced and thumping drums and bass hurry this one along at breakneck speed, on getting to the breakdown we have another fine example of this self-confessed pub bands superb musicianship. Its clean and rocking, the heads in the crowd are nodding, like the Churchill dog on a cobbled street. On finishing Zac talks like plays, saying it’s “a new one” and “it’s not out yet” along with the Elvis “Thank You Very Much” I can’t help mutter the “Ah HuH” in my head.
He says let’s have some fun as he shouts out “This ones called Dry Spell” “Ant take this one away” no sooner said than done the bass is thumping a deep booming bass lick, Ant is working the low-end hard rocking away as he does. Ben on the kit is keeping things tight, he’s pushing the song along locked in with that roaming bass line, Its perfect back end to Zac’s scratchings as yet again, he’s down in the dirty end, his face screwed up as he gives it the beans, a quick shout “Ant Bass Guitar” and Ant is grooving a thundering bass line, quick finger fly over his precision bass’s neck. This is a great band, hard to believe they make their bread and butter by playing in pubs and clubs down South. Three songs in and they have won the crowd over.
As Zac goes into a run of counts and strums to everyone’s amusements before bringing it back with some frantic playing, the voice is on point and segues brilliantly with the band and its look. Stunning. He shouts out “ What Shall We Do Next?” “ok let’s do that” and they’re into the hectically brilliant ‘Ballyshannon Blues, a single the band released back in 2022’.
In Typical Rory Gallagher fashion, it starts mellow and then explodes like a mento in a bottle of coke. This is face, ripping stuff and hits like a catapult full of Bullfrogs. The song writing is great, it captures the essence of the band travelling to experience this annual event in Northern Ireland, a tribute to the festival celebrating Rory Gallaghers music. It finishes with the garbled high speed “thank you’s.”
The band have a brief chat about what to play next, ‘Walking The Dog’ gets the vote. It’s another laid back number. Ants laying down a steady walking bass riff, filled with the occasional flourish as Zac strokes the Black Strat, as he laments about his dog.
This is a band mature beyond their years, the playing from the whole band if sublime, there’s the odd call from the crowd right before we get a superb display as Zac makes that Strat ‘quack’, OMG he’s ridiculously good, Mind is blown “boom”, the control and restraint in his playing is something else. The neck pick up fat notes get the whistles from the crowd, Ben in the back is in the pocket, tight and subtle, some nice little fills push the dog along. This has the crowd clapping and cheering with appreciation.
Zac apologises for spilling a bit of water, his subtle dad dancing moves have knocked over Ants bottle, he then asks for a hand for sound man Graham before introducing one of his favourite bands form down Canvey island way, ‘Dr Feelgood’. He’s off with a rattling guitar sound, the bass and drums thundering along keeping up as we have blast off with ‘She Does It Right.” Its frenetic high speed punk guitar made famous by the late Wilco Johnson is brilliantly portraited. Its obvious that pub rock band Dr Feelgood has had a big influence on Zac’s playing. The song builds with all three pulsing it along, it’s another superb example of the band.
Zac tells us they have time for one more song, he introduces his fellow band members before saying here’s a bit of “Rory Gallagher for you.” The band launch into Jnr Wells ‘Messin’ with the kid” this featured on Gallaghers ‘Live In Europe’ album of 1972. It’s played with all the conviction of this late Irishman. The licks are sharp and in your face. The crowd join in with the “Messin’ with the kid” chorus. This rolls straight into Peter Greens ‘Oh Well’ from 1969. Another furious display of sublime guitar playing rounds the night out. It’s a great version that is up there with the best. The song finishes with the instrumental flurry made famous by the late Peter Green.
The band leave the stage as the crowd around me are feverishly chatting about what they’ve just witnessed. “some of the best Blue’s rock I’ve seen in a very long time”, “guitar skills are ridiculous”, “the whole band are tight, the drummer is in the pocket like a monster”, “the bass player has the chops and compliments the band perfectly” are some of what’s being said. This is a band to watch out for, authenticity and musicianship by the bucket full, and dare I say, they are very humble with it. The band are touring with Samantha Fish in October before going to the states with her, yes, they’re that good, a great reason to get a Sam Fish ticket but make sure you’re there for early doors and prepared to be blown away!
Eddie 9V is up next, he’s certainly picked a great support band so here’s hoping he can raise the bar that bit higher. I’m sure he can as the Americans, come over here and simply blow a lot of their competition away, they seem to be drenched in that thing called charisma! and are born performers. It’s a quick change over so in a matter of, what seem like only minutes, we are ready for the off.
After a nerve settling noodle, Eddie Thanks the crowd for coming out, says he’s going to plays some Soul and Blues for us, and then asks if that’s ok? He gives a shout out for the Zac Schulze band and then kicks off his set with “Beg Borrow and Steal”, it’s a catchy number that you could imagine going down well with some horns. Eddies guitar, another Strat is quacking away as ‘Chad Mason’ gives the keys a good dusting off, his eyes hidden by dark glasses. The band are on fire, the first song in and the showmanship is dripping from the stage. ‘Lane Kelly’ on bass is smiling away as he strokes his short scale bass guitar, he too is sporting dark glasses. The solo is a simple masterclass in blues soloing, nice and subtle.
The drum continues to pulse as the patter flows from Eddie, he’s well versed in chatting to the crowd as he introduces Lane Kelly on the bass guitar for this next one, ‘The Come Up.’ The banter continues throughout the song as Eddie tells us he’s going to play a bit, he gives way to Chad Mason on the keys, Eddie calls out to do a bit of Bill Withers and the band drop into a breakdown full of bouncing keys and grooving bass which slowly builds back up to Eddie ripping some tasty licks of the Strat. Eddies eyes dart around the room from behind his dark red sunnies.
He introduces the next song as being a “new one that’s ideal for Nottingham”, they arrived earlier in the day, he again thanks the crowd for turning up as they thought they’d be playing in front of 5 people. The band drop in ‘Halo’ which is full of tasty groove David sat at the back is smiling as he locks into Lane Kelly’s bass rumble, there’s a nice bit of cross stick being played as the keys and guitar stroke along. The lighting isn’t good, in fact we’re staring at shadows, I quickly ask if there’s any chance of a bit of front light, and hey presto Graham makes a world of a difference. Eddie asks for some clapping as the band riffs out to finish the song.
There lots of clapping and Eddie thanks all before giving it some fat licks as they go into ‘Missouri’ after a quick count in. It’s tight, the keys give the sound wall a fuller sound as Eddie Sings, his guitar quiet as he does so. With his slicked back hair and delivery style, there is a familiarity about him that’s just come to mind, Jimmy Vaughan and the Fabulous Thunderbirds, soulful blues at its finest. The guitar licks are clean and on point. He’s using a T-Rex pedal to breakup the amp sound when needed, another great player who doesn’t need a Walmart of pedals to get his sound.
After a shout out to Graham on sound he introduces ‘Lo-fi Love’ from off the first album. It’s got a laid-back groove that lets his voice do its work. He’s got a great voice with just the right amount of grit to give it that sweet edge. The crowd like this one as they squeal in recognition. The drums are knocking nails in as David gives it a tight groove.
The finger picked solo is sweet, very JV in-fact. The swirling keys adding to the smokie ambiance, appropriate as we have a good haze on stage. Eddie shouts out to the crowd when the song finishes that they know the words better than he does. He says he doesn’t write the words down when he writes the songs. Someone shouts out “what kinda woman is this” a Buddy Guy track which he’s plays at it and quickly says he can’t play it but will do something like it in the future.
“We’re gonna take you down to Clarksdale Mississippi for ya”, “This is a song called” ‘Delta’, the high hat is already being rattled as Eddie plays a simple descending, ascending riff. The bass line follows the same pattern as Eddie slowly laments over top. The drums are ringing, the hi-hat ‘pea soups’ are cutting through nicely. The keys have taken on the riff as Eddie starts to wind up the guitar, switching pick up the Strat quacks into life before he ask ‘Chad’ to take him down to the delta. A nice keyboard break flows from in the corner in which Eddie joins in with some classy rakes across the strings. There’s elements of the vocals that bring a Lenny Kravitz vibe to the song, it’s a cracker that’s been enjoyed by the crowd who are no invited to join in with some of the “woo” “woos” to bring the song to its finale. More cheers and claps ensue obviously.
The crowd are asked how there weeks going before Eddie tells us theirs is going good. He adds its Lane, his and Chads first time in the UK, David Green on Drums has been here previously. He then adds we’re going to take you down to Memphis Tennessee, His guitar quacks into the opening of “Left My Soul In Memphis”. During which, he shouts out ‘ ”let’s build a groove,” fast strumming and a shout asking if Nottingham is feeling all right punctuates the proceedings.
The beats continues as Eddie announces the `’Hold On’ by one of his favourites, The Alabama Shakes, in fact it was their debut single in 2011. The crowd are, again invited to sing along. The crowd sing along to the chorus “You Got To Hold On Hey you got to hold on”. Where taken back to Memphis once again as the band build up to a climactic cacophony momentarily before the swirling keys and guitar bring it to an applauded finish. Eddie responds that he is sad that the band broke up so they’re gonna keep playing it until they get back together.
The next song features the most talented individuals in the group, written by Jnr Parker and covered by Al Green. Its ‘Driving Wheels’ Eddie says it’ll feature drummer David Green. It’s a driving song, appropriately, so pushes along swiftly, Eddies voice is full of Soul as he delivers this timeless classic. Chads hammerings on the Nord lift the song with its honky tonk sounds. The compressed solo is tasty as we build up to David Green on the tubs who is let loose, his percussive riffs and delicate drum grooves get the crowd bouncing. The E9V behind him glows different colours as he takes us on a journey around his kit. The dums are booked ended by the tinkling of the ivories and the thundering bass of Lane Kelly, Eddie adds to the story filling in the gaps.
Zac Schulze is invited on the stage, as he sets up Eddie announces they’re going to play Howling Wolf’s’ 1971 classic, Miss James.’ They break it down, Chad punches the keys as the guitar builds, Zac is on it, that fat Strat is ripping it a new one, fast fingers like little pin maggots wriggling over the neck he has Eddie watching and smiling as he rocks out. Eddie tells Zac the layout for the next song, then tells the crowd that when his management told him that Zac was opening for him, “he asked for another week to practice.” “Zac is a bad Mother f*@ker man” he finishes with.
They go into Blind Faiths 1969 belter ‘Can’t Find My Way Home’. The swirling keys are playing in the background as this one is introduced. Blind Faith were a short-lived band, super group featuring Winwood, Grech, Baker and Clapton, they made the one notorious album, the one with the slightly controversial cover of 11year old Mariora Goschen holding a silver spaceship. It’s a rocking delivery full of screaming guitars and thundering backline. Zac Schulze is again paraded by Eddie.
‘Little Black Flies’ follows after a quick retune, Eddie blames Zac for pulling all the tuning from his guitar. He continues with a treacly delivery of this title track from his 2022, eponymous first album, it was also, pre-album, released as a single in 2021. It’s a catchy number with some great licks that has the crowd light in their loafers as they groove along to the beat. This is followed up with the newly released ‘Saratoga’, its catchy opening riff is surrounded by a steady kick drum and swaddled with the smoke-filled keys from Chad. The bass is pulsing along as Eddie delivers this new one to the nodding heads of the crowd. His sound has been excellent, the Bodega have done him proud. As he rolls out a tasty ‘funk’ inspired riff sandwiched between the keys and a rapid snare snap.
he breaks out of the song to say “he’s just been reminded of the hard curfew” so they have 5 minutes, he gives a quick shout out and says we have one more for you.
‘Yella Alligator slams out with the precision of a surgeon’s knife, as this one from the new album Capricorn bounces along, his voice is great, rich and full as he builds this song up to an untimely finish. He salutes the crowd before walking off to leave the band to finish the song off with a few more bars and a thundering fill on the drums from David Green, damn curfews. The crowd shout for one more song but alas its not to be.
What a night of Blues guitar. Both bands are new to me live, and both I can fully recommend as a great way to spend a night. Like I said Zac is playing with Sam Fish so get their early doors and revel in the splendour of the Zach Schulze Gang. As for the polished showmanship of Eddie 9V, he’s slicker than a slick thing, he’s got the chops and the patter and puts on a deceptively wicked show, another to watch out for, in the mean time grab his albums and have a listen. A great addition to any collection.
